T mgckenzie



Feb. 21, 1956 F. T, MacKENZIE 2,735,118

SOLE LOCATING AND HOLDING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 8, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 21. 1956 F. 'r. MacKENZlE SOLE LOCATING AND HOLDING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 8, 1953 Feb. 21, 1956 F. T. MacKENZlE 2,735,113

SOLE LOCATING AND HOLDING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 8, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 b I I I I I r WWW; t e bwylw MM UM} .wlw w "Mk In United States Patent SOLE LOCATING AND HOLDING APPARATUS Fred T. MacKenzie, Beverly, Mass., assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Flemington, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application September 8, 1953, Serial No. 378,783

6 Claims. (Cl. 12-17) This invention relates to mechanisms for facilitating the location in the desired relation of shoe parts which are to be combined and holding one in position while the other is thus located. More specifically, it provides an apparatus for locating, upon a relatively thin and easily wrinkled sock lining, a firmer and more rigid platform member which is to be combined with the sock lining to leave an even margin of the latter projecting beyond the platform.

When it is desired to locate a comparatively rigid part in a predetermined position relatively to another part which is flimsy and easily wrinkled, it is difiicult for an operator to determine by eye whether the parts are in the desired relation and to bring them together in that relation. This results from the crinkled condition of the flimsy part, and from the fact that one or both of the parts has or have been previously coated with an adhesive which tends to prohibit a shifting of the relative location of the two parts once they have been brought into even a light contact. Examples of such flimsy parts are found in the so-called sock linings which are employed in slip lasted shoes and which are frequently combined with light but more rigid platform pieces to leave an even margin where one of the parts is larger than the other. Furthermore, it is frequently desired to use a presser member to bring the parts together after they have been located and then there is a likelihood of interference between the presser member and any gages which have been employed.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to increase the speed and accuracy with which such an operation may be carried out by the provision of an easily operated locating and holding apparatus which will keep pieces in flat condition and hold them in predetermined relation until the operator has a chance to press them together. A feature of an apparatus for this purpose lies in movably mounted gages provided with an operator controlled mechanism for moving these gages to a position spaced from the Work parts after the latter have been brought into the desired relation. As illustrated, the actuation of an operator controlled mechanism to effect the withdrawal of a plurality of interconnected gages positioned to cooperate with spaced portions of the work is effected by movement of a member acting upon the interconnection.

Another feature of the invention resides in the use of a suction table for holding in flat condition the more fiirnsy piece of work while the other piece is gaged so that it can be brought easily into exactly the desired relation to the first piece. Preferably and as illustrated, control means for the suction apparatus are located in the path of movement of an operator controlled device for moving the gages, thus enabling a single actuation of the latter to effect both a withdrawal of the gages and a control of the suction, to the end that when the pieces have been combined, they may readily be pressed together and then removed from the apparatus.

These and other features of the invention will best be understood from a consideration of the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus having a portion of the apron broken away to disclose a gageoperating mechanism;

Fig. 2 is an elevation on the same scale taken from the right of Fig. 1 and showing parts broken away and in section;

Fig. 3 is an angular view of the gaging mechanism showing its connection with a solenoid-operated damper in the suction mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a plan view, on a larger scale, of a suction table and the sole-locating gages;

Fig. 5 is a detail section on the line V--V of Fig. 4 through a toe gage which is adjustably fixed in position;

Fig. 6 is a similar section on the line VI--VI through one of the side gages;

Fig. 7 is a plan view on a smaller scale with a forward part of the table top broken away to show the gaging mechanism; and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged elevation of the work presser shown bearing upon a sole positioned upon a suction table, the latter parts being in vertical section.

The apparatus is shown as supported upon a table having a top 10 mounted upon four legs 12 which carry, near their lower ends, a shelf 14. At the front of the table just below the top there is positioned a deep apron 16 while the sides and rear of the table have shallower apron pieces 18, two of which are joined by a transverse stiffening flange 20.

In order to assist the operator in locating and holding a sole piece, such as a fabric sock lining, which frequently is crinkled and twisted out of shape by the application of a coating of cement thereto, the apparatus is provided with a suction chamber 22 having an outturned peripheral flange 24 (Fig. 8) which rests upon the table top 10 at the margin of an opening in said top, shaped to receive the chamber. A top plate 26 secured by screws 23 (Fig. 7) to the flange 24 of the suction chamber is provided with a series of relatively large perforations 30 around which the plate is rabbeted to receive a coarse screen 32 which is in the shape of the largest sole to be positioned thereon and which has around its periphery a flat, thin frame 34 fitting in the rabbet of the top plate 26 and held by screws 35. Surmounting this coarse screen and having 'its margin fastened to the frame 34 thereof is a piece of very fine metal screen 36. This is flush with. the surface of the plate 26 and receives the work which is to be located thereon as later described.

Suction is produced through the top screens of the chamber 22 by means of a fan 38 (Fig. I) mounted on the shelf 14 near the bottom of the table and adapted to be driven by any desired means such as by a motor (not shown) controlled by a switch 39 and connected to the fan as by means of a belt 40. This fan is provided with an exhaust opening 41 and with an intake chamber 42 (Figs. 2 and 3) closed at its outer end by a cap 44 (Fig. l). The chamber is supported in position by means of a surrounding clamp ring 46 to the bottom of which there are secured braces 48 leading to the shelf 14, and to the top of which there is secured another brace 50 leading to the inside of the apron 16.

The intake chamber is provided with a damper 52 (Figs. 2 and 3) secured to a cross rod 54 which has arms 56 and 58 at its opposite ends. A spring-pressed rod 60 secured to the arm 56 is guided by a bracket 62 mounted on the side of the intake chamber 42 and a spring 64 surrounding the rod 60 tends to urge the damper 52 to a horizontal, or open, position. As will be seen, especially in Figs. 1 and 2, this intake chamber 42 has a neck 61 connected to the suction chamber 22 by means of a we tion hose 65. On the other end of this shaft 54 the arm 58 is joined by a link 66 to the core 68 of a solenoid 70 which is supported upon the other side of the intake passage and is arranged, when energized, to close the damper.

The operation of relatively positioning two sole-shaped pieces such as a sock lining 72 (Fig. 4) and a thin platform piece 74 with a uniform margin around the former is greatly facilitated by the employment of proper gaging members. A roll-shaped member 76 (Fig. 8), to engage the toe ends of the workpieces, has an intermediate flange 78 to gage the position of the smaller member 74 leaving a recess 80 beneath this flange to receive the thinner piece 72. This roll-shaped gage, with its overlapping flange 78 to determine the proper spacing between the two parts, is second upon the end of an arm 82 (Fig. having a slot 84 (Figs. 4 and 7) through which passes a retaining screw 86 to secure this gage member 76 in the desired position upon the top plate 26 of the suction chamber.

Adjacent to and laterally of the toe gage member 76 are rollshaped gage members 90, 92 each having an undercut recess 94, as has the similar member 128 in Fig. 6, and secured respectively upon arms 95, 96. These arms are pivoted in a plate 180 secured to the table top near the end of the perforated plate 26 and partially underlying (Fig. l) the flange 24 of the suction chamber 22. To this end, the arms have pivot rods 102 each of which has a bottom arm 104 (Fig. 3) pinned to its rod to provide for the attachment of springs 166 extending to a bracket 168 (Fig. 7) on the underside of the table top. These springs operate to pull the lateral toe gages 9t 92 toward one another so as to engage the sides of the toe end of the sole members, as illustrated in Fig. 4.

When it is desired to remove the work, it is convenient to pull these gages aside and to that end, the pivot rods 102 have crank arms 110 (Figs. 3 and 7), the outer ends of which are joined by curved links 112 to a transverse link 114, for a purpose to be later explained. This transverse link is pivotally connected by a pin 116 to a slotted link 113 which receives pins in crank arms 12!) attached to upright rods 122, pivoted in a plate 127, and on the upper ends of which are mounted arms 124 and 126, to carry roll-shaped gage members 128 and 130 undercut at 94 (Fig. 6). Each arm 120 is urged counterclockwise by a spring 123. As indicated in the plan View of Fig. 4, these gage members 128, 130 are intended to engage the sole-shaped pieces near the ball line and the heel end respectively.

Since the gages overlap the margin of the work and since the pieces of work are to be pressed together by a suitable presser member, to be described, which would interfere with these gages, it is desirable to arrange for a withdrawal of the gaging devices substantially simul taneously. To this end, the apparatus is provided with an upright tiltable lever 132 (Fig. 3) which is mounted upon a pin 134 supported by a bearing sleeve 136 which is attached to a plate 138 (Fig. 2) held by suitable fastenings upon one of the legs 12 at the forward left-hand corner of the table.

When this tiltable lever 132 (Fig. 3) is tipped, the link 114, passing through the notch 133 at the top of the lever, operates to pull the curved links 112 toward the right which is the left of the machine in Fig. 1 to draw the toe gages apart and to pull the link 118 longitudinally of itself to swing the lateral gages 128 and 138 away from the side of the sole members. This tilting of the lever 132 is efiected by a bell crank. 140 mounted upon a pin 142 which is supported in a bearing sleeve 144 attached to the plate 138. The bell crank has a horizontal arm connected by a link 146 (Figs. 1 and 2) to a treadle rod 148 which is joined at its lower end to an upstanding arm 150 upon a treadle 152. The treadle is hinged to a deep flange 154 which lies beneath the shelf 14 and in the latter there is mounted a stop screw 156 to limit the upward movement of the treadle. A spring 158 is attached to the treadle rod at its lower end and to a tablesupported bar 160 at its upper end.

The bell crank 140, which is connected to this treadle mechanism, has an upstanding arm carrying a pin 162 which engages a notch 164 at the lower end of the tiltable lever 132. As the treadle is depressed to lower the horizontal arm of the bell crank 140 thereby to remove the gages, the bell crank engages the operating member 166 r of a switch 168, supported upon the bar 160. The switch is connected electrically in the circuit of the solenoid 70 and arranged to energize the latter as the member 166 is depressed. It follows that the depression of the treadle which removes the gages from the work is also effective to close the damper 52 and shut off the suction produced in the chamber 22 upon the top of which the work is supported.

A presser P, for bringing into firm interengagernent precemented sole-shaped pieces 72' and 74, is mounted in a bearing bracket 170 (Figs. l, 2 and 7) which is secured to the top 10 of the table. in this there is journaled a horizontal shaft 172 to a mid portion of which is pinned an arm 174 limited as to its rearward movement by a stop 176 (Fig. 2). This arm, at its outer end, carries a presser plate 178 tiltaby attached to the arm by a pin 179. The plate 178 is generally sole-shaped in contour and to it there is secured an operator engageable loopshaped handle 180 (Fig. l). The presser plate 178 is.

provided with an intermediate block 182 and a sponge rubber pad 184 secured to it. After the operator has lowered this pad 184 into engagement with the work he is enabled to increase the pressure of it upon the work by means of a pressure lever pivotally mounted upon the side of the bearing bracket 170 and carrying a cam 192. This cam is in the plane of a roller 194, secured at the end of a short arm 196, which is attached to the outer end of the presser arm carrying shaft 172. When the presser pad 184 has been brought into engagement with the work, the axis of the roller 194 upon the arm 196 has moved to the rear of the vertical line connecting the pivot center of the lever 190 and the center of the shaft 172 upon which the arm 196 is mounted as seen in Fig. 2. The cam 192 is then so shaped as to press this roller 194 to the rear (the right in Fig. 2) and cause the firm engagement of the presser pad with the work. A rest 198 is provided for the pressure lever 190 to hold it, when not in use, in. a nearly upright position where it may be made effective by pulling a handle on the upper end of the lever 190 forward toward the operator.

In the operation of the apparatus, the treadle is first depressed, if desired, whereby the gages are opened or withdrawn and the damper 52 closed. A sock lining 72 is then placed upon the fine screen 36 at the top of the suction chamber 22 with its toe end against the gage 76 and the treadle released to allow the other gages to be moved in by the springs attached to them respectively, until they contact the periphery of the sock linng. At the same time the switch 168 will be opened because the bell crank 140 no longer presses against it and the solenoid 70 will be released allowing the spring 64 to push the damper 52 into open position, thus creating a suction at the screen 36 which will flatten the sock lining and hold it firmly in position upon the screen as the recessed portions of the gages come against its edge. The operator then places the platform sole 74 on the sock lining and moves it into engagement with the outer peripheries of the gages 76, 90, 92, 128 and 130. This brings it into a centralized position above the sock lining where an even margin will be left between the periphery of the platform and the periphery of the sock lining.

He will, by finger pressure, bring this platform against the sock lining momentarily to allow previously applied adhesive temporarily to join the two, after which he will depress the treadle to withdraw the gages and shut off the suction and then will grasp the handle 180 and lower the presser pad 184 into contact with the work. After this, a brief application of pressure by means of the lever 190 will be all that is required to combine the pieces and cause them to stay in the desired relation as they are lifted away from the screen of the suction apparatus.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a sole locating apparatus, a support, a gage pivotally mounted upon the support to assist in positioning the toe end of a sole, anther gage pivotally mounted on the support for engagement with the side of a sole, cranks for turning the respective gages, pivotally connected links interconnecting said cranks, and a treadle-operated lever for moving both said gages away from the work by laterally displacing one of said links.

2. In a sole locating apparatus, a support, gages pivotally mounted on the support for locating a toe end of a sole, links pivoted to said gages arranged to move them away from the work, an operatng link, said toe gage links being pivotally connected to the operating link, a gage positioned for engagement with the side of a sole and pivotally mounted on the support, another operating link connected thereto for swinging said gage away from the work, means for pivotally interconnecting said operating links in angular relation to one another, and an opeartor controlled lever mounted to engage one of said operating links to move it laterally and thereby to move the other operating link longitudinally of itself.

3. In a sole locating apparatus, a support, a plurality of sole gaging members pivotally mounted on the support, crank arms on said members, a jointed, two piece, link connection between said crank arms, a lever having a forked end engaging one piece of said link connection, and treadle-operated means for moving said forked lever to efliect a lateral displacement of one piece of the link connection and a longitudinal displacement of the other piece, thereby to cause rotation of the gage members away from the work.

4. In a sole locating apparatus, a perforated suction table, means for producing suction through said table, a damper operable to control the suction, interconnected gages for locating sole-shaped pieces laid on said suction table, and treadle operated means for withdrawing said gages constructed and arranged to operate said damper to close it as the gages are withdrawn.

5. In a sole locating apparatus, a suction table provided with a perforated top, a driven fan for producing suction through said top, a damper interposed between the fan and the perforated top, a gage movably mounted on the table, means for operating said damper to control the suction, and an operator controlled mechanism for moving said gage into contact with a thin piece of work and moving said damper to permit the suction to hold the Work rigid as the gage comes against it.

6. In a sole locating apparatus, a suction table having a perforated top, a suction pipe connected to said top, a damper in said pipe operative to close it, a spring for holding said damper open, a solenoid for closing said damper against the action of the spring, gages movably mounted upon the table, a treadle-operated member for moving said gages, and a switch controlling said solenoid interposed in the path of said treadle-operated member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,655,442 Stewart Jan. 10, 1928 

